![]() I don't know many people who would desire a very good Symphony #5 with a pretty mediocre Symphony #2, but if the prospect appeals, by all means indulge. The Minnesota Orchestra maintains its reputation as one of the best in America. Fawn Creek Township is in Montgomery County. ![]() I generally don't like when conductors take three cracks at a work – think movie trilogies, folks – but this is a fine performance captured in the same terrific sound, and thankfully the entire affair is much more engaging. Fawn Creek Township is located in Kansas with a population of 1,618. This is Vänskä's third recording of the work (if you count both versions in his Lahti Symphony cycle, also on BIS CD-863). The warm brass and piquant wind chorales are a far cry from the sleepy Second. Happily, the Symphony #5 almost immediately shows more promise. This is not a work that can afford to drag, and the Finale – though lovingly played – does absolutely nothing. Rather, there's a peculiar and unexpected lack of energy that drags the Symphony #2 down. The latter doesn't really happen here there's no superficially exciting climaxes that simply blur, or stop-and-start sections that ring false. But as demonstrated on the second disc of this cycle, Vänskä at his less than best can drag and indulge in some odd tempo choices. Vänskä at his best is one of the most naturally exciting conductors on the podium, taking old classics and infusing them with vigor and rhythmic intensity. From La Salle Pleyel, 4 November 2010,Paavo Jrvi goes North: Paavo Jrvi conducts the Orchestre de Paris in a concert filled with Nordic composers. This symphony is a culmination of Sibeliuss early period romantic, human, searching. If the Symphony #1 from these forces was overly contrasted and thus drew too much attention to the conductor, this Symphony #2 is a touch on the bland side. Unfortunately, this particular issue has a different set of problems than its successor. 'A mixed bag' : lexpression de nos amis anglo-saxons pourrait suffire à propos de cet album réunissant les 2ème et 5ème Symphonies de Jean Sibelius par lOrchestre du Minnesota sous la direction du chef finlandais Osmo Vänskä : Symphonies N☂ & 5. On the whole, it shares the "great sound" part of the last sentence, and is again very well done technically. This program features the famous Symphony #2 and the well-known Symphony #5. The latter disc ( BIS SACD-1996) was notable for being gorgeously played and recorded, but also surprisingly mannered and almost overly-personalized. ![]() Given the choice, I slightly prefer this first installment of Osmo Vänskä's Minnesota Sibelius cycle to the second. ![]()
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